EU-funded exercise to boost maritime security cooperation

Through the MASE programme funded by the European Union, the Indian Ocean Commission organised the first MASE POLMAR 2019 wide-ranging regional exercise from 16 to 20 October in Madagascar.

The event brought together representatives of the MASE agreements’ signatories countries: Comoros, Djibouti, France, Reunion Island, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Somalia as an observer, International liaison officers and watch-standers from the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre and the Regional Coordination of Operation Centre, as well as a representative of the European Navy – EUNAVFOR.

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Source: neweurope.eu

Seychelles, CJTF-HOA build partnership

By Captain Olivia Cobiskey
U.S. ArmyCJTF-HOA, May 21, 2019

VICTORIA, Seychelles — The East African island nation of Seychelles is a key partner with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, working towards increasing security and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, recently visited the Republic of Seychelles to discuss ways to increase interoperability between CJTF-HOA and the Seychelles.

“A key, vital forecast is the fact piracy is suppressed, not eradicated,” said Kriesel, the first CJTF-HOA leader to officially visit the Seychelles since 2012. “We, as a coalition, must maintain readiness to rise to the challenge of a potential resurgence.”

Kriesel met with leaders from the Seychelles People’s Defence Force, and the U.S. Embassy Mauritius and Seychelles, to discuss the crucial role the Seychelles, a group of 115 islands, has played in the fight against illegal fishing, the ongoing threat of piracy in the western Indian Ocean, and trafficking of weapons, narcotics and people. During the meeting, Seychelles People’s Defence Force leaders elaborated on their plan to increase information sharing and force capability to police the Indian Ocean.

Kriesel also visited the Regional Coordination and Operational Centre, seeing firsthand how the center operates and its pivotal role in promoting maritime security in the region.

“CJTF-HOA and the Regional Coordination and Operational Centre would benefit from conducting training and exercises similar to our subject matter expert exchange; ultimately, furthering strategic access,” said Kriesel.

The Regional Coordination and Operational Centre’s objectives are synergistic with CJTF-HOA’s lines of effort. Strengthening individual and institutional capacity, encouraging international capacity, and facilitating mutual dialogue with international, regional and national actors form the foundation of the Regional Coordination and Operational Centre, resulting in success in their anti-piracy mission. Approximately 100 pirates have been repatriated to Somaliland; however, the government is concerned criminals are regrouping and obtaining financing for future activity, said Col. Clifford Roseline, chief of the Seychelles People’s Defence Force.

“Seychelles is proud to be a member of the Combined Maritime Forces,” said Roseline, who joined the Seychelles People’s Defence Force in 1978. The Seychelles rely on collaboration with maritime and international partners to share information and intelligence to ensure their forces are at the right place, at the right time, to continue to combat trafficking as it evolves in today’s operational landscape.

“The Combined Maritime Forces is seeing not only an increase in human trafficking, but a rise in the trafficking of both charcoal and sugar, which funds terrorist organizations in East Africa,” said Roseline.

“The Seychelles is more than just a partner on the high seas,” said Melanie Zimmerman, deputy chief of mission of the U.S. Embassy Mauritius and Seychelles, who also noted the country has the ability to prosecute suspected pirates detained by European Union Naval Force ATALANTA (EU NAVFOR) forces and U.S. Naval Forces Africa.

“CJTF-HOA values its partners and looks forward to continued collaboration with Seychelles,” Kriesel said at the conclusion of his visit.

Source: hoa.africom.mil

After pirate attack off Somalia, judge orders that 5 suspects are held in Seychelles

Only three out of the five Somali suspects appeared in court on Monday while the other two are receiving medical assistance. (Rassin Vannier)

By: Betymie Bonnelame and Rassin Vannier

(Seychelles News Agency) – Three out of five suspected pirates from Somalia who were transferred to Seychelles by EU NAVFOR last week were remanded until May 13 by the Supreme Court on Monday.

The EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta transferred the five suspects to Seychellois authorities after responding to piracy attacks on 21 April 2019, the local Department of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.

The suspects were transported by Spanish flagship ESPS Navarra and transferred to Seychellois authorities in accordance with a transfer agreement between the Seychelles and the European Union with support from UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Only three out of the five Somali suspects appeared in court on Monday while the other two are receiving medical assistance after they were injured in the piracy attacks.

For humanitarian reasons, Operation Atalanta requested medical assistance from the Seychelles authorities for two of the suspects likely to have been wounded during the piracy attempts.

The case is being heard by Justice Laura Pillay, who remanded the suspects until May 13.

During the court session on Monday, a request was made for appropriate clothes for the detainees and a place for prayer as they are all Muslims.

According to the EU NAVFOR, the incident began on 19 April when five suspected pirates captured a Yemeni dhow off the coast of Somalia. Two days later the pirates attacked the Korean fishing vessel Adria with the dhow acting as a mothership in the Indian Ocean some 280 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia.

On April 23, the EU NAVFOR’s flagship ESPS NAVARRA successfully intercepted and boarded the captured dhow vessel and apprehended the five suspected pirates.

The forces said that this is the first notable piracy incident event since October of last year.

“This incident clearly demonstrates that piracy and armed robbery at sea, off the coast of Somalia, has not been eradicated,” said operation commander Rear Admiral Antonio Martorell.

He added that “the need for a strong maritime security presence in the High-Risk Area remains critical for the deterrence and prevention of future incidents and attacks.”

Source: seychellesnewsagency.com

Late Report: Suspicious Approach, Indian Ocean (Feb. 11th)

LATE Report | Whilst en route to Mombasa, Kenya, master of Singapore-flagged container ship noticed via the radar a suspicious vessel without AIS on vessel’s port bow at 1300 UTC in position 02:29.60S – 054:09E, approx 145nm from Mahe, Seychelles. Master monitored suspicious vessel although it did not appear to show any signs of attempt to come near the ship. About 20 mins later, suspicious vessel started to move at small angle, followed by changing its course to starboard side and increased its speed and was sighted to approach the ship’s route. The master immediately increased speed, adjusted course and closely monitored the suspicious vessel. General alarm sounded and all crew were notified. Crew closed all access to the accommodation, started fire pump and activated anti-piracy watch. Suspicious vessel subsequently stopped its pursuit. Suspicious vessel believed to be the mother vessel as there was a small boat sighted nearby. Second suspicious vessel sighted on starboard bow at 1546 UTC. Reported 11 Feb. Via OCEANUSLive.org